1997 Mitsubishi Montero: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero: 2 recalls, 63 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Other / unknown Vehicle recall #98V205000 · 1998 · 60,243 vehicles
What's wrong: This cargo mat interferes with the latching integrity of the folding third seats.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, an occupant of the third seat May not be properly restrained and could be ejected from the vehicle.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the third-seat latch and striker. A rectangle will be removed from the cargo mat around each striker to provide adequate striker clearance and proper latching.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #98V220000 · 1998 · 61,800 vehicles
What's wrong: The front brake lines can develop pin holes due to chaffing against the edge of the pass-through hole in the inner fender.
Why it matters: Brake fluid can leak resulting in deteriorated braking performance and illumination of the brake indicator lamp.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the front brake lines for signs of wear and routing. If the lines are not correctly centered in the pass-through hole, the lines will be repositioned by bending slightly to correct. If there is evidence of brake line wear, the brake line will be replaced.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 9 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (17): the most common themes are electrical failure (5), stalls / loses power (4).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (14): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (3), leaks (2), noise or vibration (2).
- Electrical (8): the most common themes are electrical failure (7), won't start (4), fire / smoke (3).
- Suspension (6): the most common themes are noise or vibration (3), steering problems (2).
The 1997 Mitsubishi Montero has 63 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 17 Montero model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 45). Complaints peaked in 1999 (18 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 110,500 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (27 complaints, 2 recalls), 1998 (74 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1997 Mitsubishi Montero problems?
Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (17), brakes (hydraulic) (14), electrical (8).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1997 Mitsubishi Montero repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.